The Gila River Indian Community operates three casinos in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Each has a different attitude and approach. The tribe’s newest development will feature an embrace of the surrounding desert where it is located.
Opening in 2023, Gila River Casino at Santan Mountain, designed by Steelman Partners, is built to showcase the rich hues found in the Southwest part of the United States. Focused on bringing the texture, light and elements of the outdoors inside, this modern oasis will host several restaurants and bars, 850 slot machines, a high-limit salon, table games, an MGM sportsbook, and more.
The $150 million development offers recognizable sources of inspiration, as every space is designed with nature in mind: desert skies and landscape, the rising and setting sun, mesquite trees, and Arizona’s blooming saguaro are all represented in the Gila River’s overall color palette, meandering carpet patterns, bar textures, and space planning.
The exterior architecture showcases crisp, rectangular forms punctuated by glazed corners of smart glass that look out onto breathtaking mountain views. This unique technology transforms the building into a responsive environment that automatically adjusts to control natural light—promoting human wellness and saving energy simultaneously.
The ballroom and prefunction windows face East, toward the rising sun, making it a perfect symbol of birth, growth, new beginnings, and everything that has a cherished or hoped-for origin. The carpet reflects patterns and colors in the morning Arizona sky, and 3D panels in the ceiling inspire movement in the buzz of patrons below. Whether the occasion be sunrise yoga, a morning wedding or a go-getter conference, the space supports the overall concept of the saguaro’s desert bloom and brings a breath of fresh air to the environment both literally and figuratively.
Unlike the Gila woodpecker, who spends much of the day foraging for food, guests to the Gila River three-meal restaurant will find mouthwatering delights ready and available at most hours of the day. The earthy decor of the restaurant transforms agricultural traditions into pleasing modern aesthetics: crop circles and lines inspire geometric shapes, a chandelier above the bar takes cues from the river, and old turquoise mines offer brilliant hits of blue in the chairs of the main space. Even the place settings are punctuated with patterns found in the surrounding area.
The high-limit casino takes its color cues from the landscape. Satin, chrome and clear glass balls harmonize together in a floating chandelier above the gaming space. Their different textures symbolize varying materials found along the river. Desert flowers are represented in the carpet pattern and natural stone is used along the bar and tables throughout the space.
The main casino is centered around the idea of bringing the texture, light and garden elements of the outdoors inside. Columns within are layered with mirror and bubbled glass that mimic the water of the Gila River—the life force of the people living in the valley. The main carpet features the blooming saguaro, while the slotted ceiling and circular skylights raise the eyes upwards toward the heavens.
The center bar is home to the main action on the casino floor. An anchor for the space, it offers a see-and-be-seen environment for drinks and conversation. An artistic wooden feature rises from the center of the bar as if to represent the many reaching branches of the area’s mesquite trees. Modernized and dressed in brilliance, the features stand tall among the casino’s garden flowers and become a notable reference point on the casino floor. Colors and patterns within view are inspired by the rising and setting sun.
The BetMGM sportsbook is an extension of the casino, and carries forth the modern desert oasis concept. It offers bright and bold features and carpeting, as well as natural tones and textures—yet it maintains an inherent respect to the more traditional and masculine elements seen in a sportsbook. Earth tones and plush seating keep the space grounded while slate blues and chandelier accents elevate energy for game time under the desert night sky.
Gila River Casino at Santan Mountain
Owner: The Gila River Indian Community
Design and Architect of Record: Steelman Partners
